Help, opinions on Yamaha receiver

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by lcrngrs

After reading many many posts I'm totally confused. I have a 7.1 speaker setup and just purchased the ps3. In order to achieve the true HD sound I'm going to purchase the yamaha 663. I understand that it is necessary to use the HDMI cables, but I'm totally confused on what to set the PS3 at. I see PCM recommended but I also see Bitstream in some posts.

If you are connected by HDMI to a capable receiver, the PS3 should be on Linear PCM.

If you are connected by an Optical cable, the PS3 should be set to bitstream.

since most movies are just 5.1, what is the benefit of having a 7.1 system? I currently have an older yamaha which is 7.1 which is why I have 7 speakers plus the sub. When watching movies using my samsung bluray player, now switched to the ps3, I had set the player to bitstream, and the receiver to extended surround, Yet my back speakers get no sound. When I switch to 7 channel on the receiver they all get sound but there is no separation. This brings me back to the 7.1 question. Why is it a big deal to have when most if not all movies are in 5.1?

the benefit of having 7.1 system is 360 degree listening environment.

Movies that are in 5.1 can be extended to 7.1, which is not discrete but still uses every speaker. You may say "what is the point?", but the idea is to have each speaker in use, creating a wider sound field. Again, since the audio is only 5.1 it is not discrete. But when you do watch a movie with 7.1 audio, all channels are discrete, and each speaker plays its own part.

To recap, my questions are, settings using ps3 in order to get true hd sound and what should the receiver say?

Linear PCM, and the Receiver will display Multichannel PCM.

Benefit of 7.1 speaker system since most movies are 5.1.

wider sound field.

What was your intention before buying the 7.1 system?